The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the nationwide Swachhata Pakhwada – Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2023 campaign virtually from Jaipur, Rajasthan. This initiative aligns with the vision of ‘Swachh Bharat’ or Clean India, championed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The campaign was jointly launched with Union Minister of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Shri Giriraj Singh, and Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri through a virtual program.
The two-week-long campaign aims to mobilize efforts for cleanliness, with a focus on encouraging citizen participation through activities like ‘sharamdaan’ and reinforcing the commitment to establish a ‘Garbage Free India.’ The Union Ministers also engaged in a discussion with Sarpanches, Block Pramukhs, Mayors, CEOs-ZP, DM/DCs, and other officials from rural and urban local bodies. Additionally, a special SHS Portal was launched by the Union Minister to monitor and document SHS activities on the ground. This portal will also calculate the actual man hours of ‘shramdaan’ for the first time, along with recording the number of activities and participants. The second edition of the Indian Swachhata League was also unveiled.
In his address, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the need for waste segregation at the source, the removal of legacy waste, and increasing awareness about cleanliness. He urged the identification and adoption of best Swachhata practices from various regions across the nation during this pakhwada. Shri Shekhawat stressed on the quantification and assessment of legacy waste, setting short and long-term goals, and their time-bound implementation. He also called for a collective effort to revive water bodies that might have been affected by legacy waste. He urged targeted and result-oriented activities during the Pakhwada, emphasizing proper work allocation for optimal outcomes.
Shri Shekhawat also pointed out that waste management challenges in urban and rural areas can be addressed simultaneously, as cities have excess capacity but limited space, while rural areas have ample space but lack capacity. He urged the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to collaborate on a long-term plan for maximum convergence and a robust mechanism to achieve this goal. He looked forward to active participation and cooperation from all to make this campaign a resounding success.
SBM-Grameen and SBM-Urban have partnered with key Ministries and Departments to enhance participation and community mobilization in SHS 2023, focusing on achieving a Garbage Free India. This involves visible cleanliness and the welfare of SafaiMitras, with an emphasis on voluntary efforts such as shramdaan and actual cleaning activities. The campaign will also promote Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages, reinforce the idea of “Sanitation as everyone’s business,” and commemorate Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2nd October at the village level.
The second edition of India Swachhata League, led by youth groups, aims to further engage the youth in sustained efforts towards cleanliness across various locations. This league will act as a catalyst for youth-driven action towards achieving garbage-free cities under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
As part of the Swachhata Pakhwada celebrations, SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivir camps will be organized by various cities starting from 17th September, 2023. These camps aim to enhance welfare schemes for sanitation workers and their dependents, improving their quality of life. The shivir will target all sanitation workers in Solid Waste Management (SWM) & Used Water Management (UWM), focusing on mass awareness, preventive health checkups, yoga shivirs, and extending entitlements from central & State Schemes in convergence with various ministries.
Ms. Vini Mahajan, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, emphasized the need for joint efforts by State & UT machinery of Swachh Bharat Mission, both Rural & Urban, to ensure the success of SHS 2023. She highlighted the goal of achieving 90% ODF Plus villages during the fortnight, building on the achievements of nearly 75% ODF Plus villages.
The fortnight of celebrations will conclude on 2nd October with Swachhata Diwas. Various Government of India Ministries, PSUs, State governments, and local bodies will collaborate for cleanliness activities at various locations, including high footfall tourist spots, pilgrim sites, universities, schools, public toilets, zoos, parks, and highways.
